Electrical and electronic engineering articles within Nature Communications

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    Conventional coil arrays require complex decoupling technologies to reduce electromagnetic coupling between coil elements. Here, the authors report a self-decoupled RF coil design that achieves high inter-coil isolation between adjacent and non-adjacent elements and mixed arrays of loops and dipoles

    • Xinqiang Yan
    • , John C. Gore
    •  & William A. Grissom

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Nano-electro-mechanical system-based mass spectrometry holds promise for detecting supramolecular assemblies at large molecular weights, but its efficiency is too poor to be practical. Sage et al. overcome this problem using a nanomechanical resonator array, which significantly decreases detection time.

    • Eric Sage
    • , Marc Sansa
    •  & Sébastien Hentz

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Quantifying burden on hydropower units for balancing variable renewable energy sources has been uncertain and difficult. Herein Yang et al. propose a framework and characterize the burden, performance and compensation of hydropower regulation of renewable power systems.

    • Weijia Yang
    • , Per Norrlund
    •  & Urban Lundin

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Memristor-based neural networks hold promise for neuromorphic computing, yet large-scale experimental execution remains difficult. Here, Xia et al. create a multi-layer memristor neural network with in-situ machine learning and achieve competitive image classification accuracy on a standard dataset.

    • Can Li
    • , Daniel Belkin
    •  & Qiangfei Xia

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Conventional analogue and digital circuits are mixed at signal level yet remain technologically separate, adding complexity and cost. This work introduces a new design paradigm where the analogue and digital worlds are seamlessly fused via memristors, enabling electronics with reconfigurability.

    • Alexantrou Serb
    • , Ali Khiat
    •  & Themistoklis Prodromakis

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Active particles that demonstrate life-like behavior may find use in bio-inspired technologies, but achieving on-demand reconfiguration remains challenging. Here, the authors demonstrate controllable, collective behavior in silicon microparticles, which are fabricated via conventional semiconductor methods.

    • Ugonna Ohiri
    • , C. Wyatt Shields IV
    •  & Nan Jokerst

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Population coding, where populations of artificial neurons process information collectively can facilitate robust data processing, but require high circuit overheads. Here, the authors realize this approach with reduced circuit area and power consumption, by utilizing superparamagnetic tunnel junction based neurons.

    • Alice Mizrahi
    • , Tifenn Hirtzlin
    •  & Damien Querlioz

  • Article
    | Open Access

    One major energy loss in electronics is heat dissipation due to induced polarization in dielectric materials in the presence of electric fields. Kim et al. utilize large polarization in liquids to harvest dielectric loss via an energy-loss return gate design, which converts energy back to electricity.

    • Taehun Kim
    • , Hyungseok Yong
    •  & Sangmin Lee

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The organic electrochemical transistor is a type of transistor that modulates the channel current by the ion concentration and is thus explored for bio-applications. Here Ghittorelli et al. show a current-driven device configuration to increase the sensitivity by ten times than conventional approaches.

    • Matteo Ghittorelli
    • , Leona Lingstedt
    •  & Fabrizio Torricelli

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Atomically thin monolayers with high photoluminescence quantum yield are promising for optoelectronic and lighting applications. Here, the authors fabricate a transient-mode electroluminescent device to bypass the requirement of ohmic contacts for electrons and holes, and observe millimetre-scale light emission from a transparent 2D display.

    • Der-Hsien Lien
    • , Matin Amani
    •  & Ali Javey

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The disordering of the vortex lattice in a type-II superconductor is widely perceived to underpin unusual peaks in the temperature and field dependence of critical current. By contrast, here Toft-Petersen et al. find an order-disorder transition in a superconducting vanadium sample that is unconnected with peaks observed in critical current.

    • Rasmus Toft-Petersen
    • , Asger B. Abrahamsen
    •  & Mark Laver

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The thermal stability impedes the application of nanoscale magnetic tunnel junctions in electronic and spintronics devices. Here the authors achieved current-induced magnetization switching in magnetic tunnel junctions smaller than 10 nm with sufficient thermal stability due to the shape anisotropy without adding new material systems.

    • K. Watanabe
    • , B. Jinnai
    •  & H. Ohno

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The development of humanoid robots with artificial intelligence calls for smart solutions for tactile sensing systems that respond to dynamic changes in the environment. Here, Yoon et al. emulate non-adaption and sensitization function of a nociceptor—a sensory neuron—using diffusive oxide-based memristors.

    • Jung Ho Yoon
    • , Zhongrui Wang
    •  & J. Joshua Yang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    DNA based technology holds promise for non-volatile memory and computational tasks, yet the relatively slow hybridization kinetics remain a bottleneck. Here, Song et al. have developed an electric field-induced hybridization platform that can speed up multi-bit memory and logic operations.

    • Youngjun Song
    • , Sejung Kim
    •  & Xiaohua Huang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Electronic skins have been developed to emulate human sensory systems, but simultaneous detection of multiple stimuli remains a big challenge due to coupling of electronic signals. Here, Hua et al. overcome this problem in a stretchable and conformable matrix network integrated with seven different modes.

    • Qilin Hua
    • , Junlu Sun
    •  & Zhong Lin Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance enables the new spintronic devices but is limited by the low amplitude or working temperature. Here, the authors report the large unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance in a topological insulator and ferromagnetic metal bilayer system at relatively higher temperature.

    • Yang Lv
    • , James Kally
    •  & Jian-Ping Wang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Reservoir computing facilitates the projection of temporal input signals onto a high-dimensional feature space via a dynamic system, known as the reservoir. Du et al. realise this concept using metal-oxide-based memristors with short-term memory to perform digit recognition tasks and solve non-linear problems.

    • Chao Du
    • , Fuxi Cai
    •  & Wei D. Lu

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Oxide-based memristors hold promise for artificial neuromorphic computing, yet the detail of the switching mechanism—filament formation—remains largely unknown. Hoskins et al. provide nanoscale imaging of this process using electron beam induced current microscopy and relate it to resistive states.

    • Brian D. Hoskins
    • , Gina C. Adam
    •  & Jabez J. McClelland

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Hemispherical format has been adopted in camera systems to better mimic human eyes, yet the current designs rely on complicated fabrications. Here, Zhang et al. show an origami-inspired approach that enables planar silicon-based photodetector arrays to reshape into concave or convex geometries.

    • Kan Zhang
    • , Yei Hwan Jung
    •  & Zhenqiang Ma

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Organic materials that support both electronic and ionic transport hold promise for applications in bioelectronics and energy storage. Here, Inal et al. use transistors to quantify the materials performance of organic mixed conductors in terms of the product of charge mobility and volumetric capacitance.

    • Sahika Inal
    • , George G. Malliaras
    •  & Jonathan Rivnay

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Micro-electromechanical systems fabrication techniques are based on silicon micromachining processes, resulting in rigid and low aspect ratio structures. Here the authors demonstrate a flexible, high aspect ratio micro-electromechanical system in fibre enabled by an electrostrictive ferrorelaxor terpolymer layer.

    • Tural Khudiyev
    • , Jefferson Clayton
    •  & Yoel Fink

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The signalling scheme used in access networks require electrical bandwidths many times greater than subscribers can utilise. Here, the authors describe a promising approach to achieve bidirectional transmission with bandwidth-efficient yet low-complexity coherent optical network unit transceiver.

    • M. S. Erkılınç
    • , D. Lavery
    •  & P. Bayvel

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Memristors can switch between high and low electrical-resistance states, but the switching behaviour can be unpredictable. Here, the authors harness this unpredictability to develop a memristor-based true random number generator that uses the stochastic delay time of threshold switching

    • Hao Jiang
    • , Daniel Belkin
    •  & Qiangfei Xia

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Optical non-reciprocity achieved through refractive index modulation can have its challenges and limitations. Here, Dinc et al. introduce the concept of non-reciprocity based on synchronized spatio-temporal modulation of conductivity to achieve different types of non-reciprocal functionality.

    • Tolga Dinc
    • , Mykhailo Tymchenko
    •  & Harish Krishnaswamy

  • Article
    | Open Access

    There is growing interest in the development of components to facilitate wireless communications in the terahertz but the characterization of these systems involve an unmodulated input. Here the authors demonstrate multiplexing and demultiplexing of data streams in the terahertz range using a real data link.

    • Jianjun Ma
    • , Nicholas J. Karl
    •  & Daniel M. Mittleman

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Flexible flash memory is crucial to modern electronics, but its fabrication is challenging in the absence of suitable dielectric materials. Here, Lee et al. realize organic memory with retention over 10 years using tunneling and blocking dielectric layers prepared by initiated chemical vapor deposition.

    • Seungwon Lee
    • , Hyejeong Seong
    •  & Seunghyup Yoo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Robots that can self-assemble into different morphologies are desired to perform tasks that require different physical capabilities. Mathews et al. design robots whose bodies and control systems can merge and split to form new robots that retain full sensorimotor control and act as a single entity.

    • Nithin Mathews
    • , Anders Lyhne Christensen
    •  & Marco Dorigo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Controlling all the optical properties of dielectric waveguides is a challenging task and often requires complicated core- and cladding designs. Here, Jiang et al. demonstrate that a thin metasurface coating can control several optical properties simultaneously over a broad frequency range.

    • Zhi Hao Jiang
    • , Lei Kang
    •  & Douglas H. Werner

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The miniaturization of antennas beyond a wavelength is limited by designs which rely on electromagnetic resonances. Here, Nan et al. have developed acoustically actuated antennas that couple the acoustic resonance of the antenna with the electromagnetic wave, reducing the antenna footprint by up to 100.

    • Tianxiang Nan
    • , Hwaider Lin
    •  & Nian Xiang Sun

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Realizing metasurfaces with reconfigurability, high efficiency, and control over phase and amplitude is a challenge. Here, Li et al. introduce a reprogrammable hologram based on a 1-bit coding metasurface, where the state of each unit cell of the coding metasurface can be switched electrically.

    • Lianlin Li
    • , Tie Jun Cui
    •  & Shuang Zhang

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Ion migration in perovskite solar cells are known to cause hysteresis and instability. Biet al., report a charge extraction layer based on graphene, fullerenes and carbon quantum dots which suppresses ion diffusion and enhances charge carrier diffusion leading to efficient devices with improved stability.

    • Enbing Bi
    • , Han Chen
    •  & Liyuan Han

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Organic non-volatile memories based on ferroelectric and semiconductor polymers are one of promising candidates for flexible electronics, yet the relevant device physics remains elusive. Ghittorelliet al. show that quantum tunnelling and charge accumulation govern the ferroelectric memory operation.

    • Matteo Ghittorelli
    • , Thomas Lenz
    •  & Fabrizio Torricelli

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Memristors are key structural units of complex memory and computing systems, yet most currently available memristors are based on materials that are not compatible with silicon technology. Here, the authors demonstrate a CMOS-compatible, self-rectifying memristor and arrays entirely based on p-Si/SiO2/n-Si.

    • Can Li
    • , Lili Han
    •  & Qiangfei Xia

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Global regulation of synaptic strengths in neural systems is known as homeoplasticity. Here, Gkoupideniset al. use an electrolyte to connect and control an array of organic electrochemical devices, in order to demonstrate behaviour that resembles homeoplasticity phenomena in the brain.

    • Paschalis Gkoupidenis
    • , Dimitrios A. Koutsouras
    •  & George G. Malliaras

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Using chips that mimic the human brain to perform cognitive tasks, namely neuromorphic computing, calls for low power and high efficiency hardware. Here, Yaoet al. show on-chip analogue weight storage by integrating non-volatile resistive memory into a CMOS platform and test it in facial recognition.

    • Peng Yao
    • , Huaqiang Wu
    •  & He Qian

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Photonic lanterns are made by merging several single-mode cores into one multimode core. Here, the authors show this type of structure can both perform wavelength-to-time mapping of multimode states of light and couple such light to an array of single-photon avalanche detectors.

    • Harikumar K Chandrasekharan
    • , Frauke Izdebski
    •  & Robert R. Thomson

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Carbon nanotube yarns with high loadings of pseudocapacitive material are desirable, e.g., for emerging wearable technologies. Here authors make biscrolled yarns with high loadings of MnO2nanoparticles confined in carbon nanotube galleries, demonstrating very high linear and areal capacitances.

    • Changsoon Choi
    • , Kang Min Kim
    •  & Seon Jeong Kim

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The development of organic electronics calls for low-cost printing techniques that can prepare high quality, large-area organic single crystals. Here, Rigaset al. achieve this goal by combining spray printing and antisolvent crystallization and test the method on various materials and substrates.

    • Grigorios-Panagiotis Rigas
    • , Marcia M. Payne
    •  & Maxim Shkunov

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